HPX2000 timecode output in 24PN
by Will Salley
on
Oct 8, 2009 at 2:31:54 am
I'm using a Sound Devices 744T recorder to do double-system sound with the Panasonic HPX2000. When we attempted to sync the camera and recorder, theTC TYPE (29.97 DF, NDF, 24, etc.) display on the recorder indicated a TC rate of 29.97 yet the actual timecode was only running at 24 (The frame numbers never went past 24). The problem is that there is an error of TC of between +1 and +6 frames, depending on where the last two digits (frames) are upon pausing the camera. Both the recoder and camera were set to 23.98. I did change the recorder's rate to 29.97, 24, and 30 for troubleshooting purposes but the TC error still happened.
I've used this recorder to sync to Varicams, Sony900s, RED and a bunch of SD cameras with no problems. Does the TC output of the HPX cameras vary with the actual set frame rate or do they send it 29.97 at all times (like the Varicam) and we just possibly have a bad TC card in the camera?
Also, the camera records 4 tracks of audio, but has only two useable inputs. The front mic input has no level control and cannot be monitored when using the rear inputs. Is there a way to force the camera to record only two tracks (to save P2 space) or better yet, disable all audio tracks altogether?
The manual has no info on any of this.
Thanks.
Primary System Info -
Mac Pro 2x3.2 Quadcore - 10.5.8 - QT 7.6.2 - 20 GB RAM - nvidia8800GT - SATA internal & external storage - Blackmagic Multibridge Pro (Not Functioning)- Open GL 1.5.10 - Wacom Intous2 tablet - AJA io
Re: HPX2000 timecode output in 24PN by Jeremy Garchow on Oct 8, 2009 at 5:45:34 pm
[Will Salley]"Does the TC output of the HPX cameras vary with the actual set frame rate or do they send it 29.97 at all times (like the Varicam)"
Yes, it's all basband tc and video out of the SDI. In acutalyity, your tc is 59.94, it's just that SMPTE spec calls for 30fps tc. If oyu were to have recorded 60p video, 2 distinct frames would have the same tc. The other frame is usually marked by an asterisk in some NLEs. So oyu'd have 00:00:00:00 and 00:00:00:00*.
Same tc number, but different frames.
In this case, the 2000 will not output 24 frame tc. So the 788T recorded 29.97, correct? Once you get your files in to FCP (and try this with a test file first), select one of the clips in the browser and then right click at the top of a column and choose "Show TC Rate". That clip shoudl show you 24, now right click and choose 30. This is a lossless process. See if your tc matches a bit better then.
